02/06/2025 10:54
Max Verstappen has conceded that his controversial incident with
George Russell in the Spanish Grand Prix was "not right and
shouldn't have happened." The world champion has moved to within
one penalty point of a race ban following the late incident in
Barcelona, where he appeared to ram into Russell's Mercedes on
purpose, having been instructed to let the Briton by by engineer
Gianpiero Lambiase. Already frustrated by Red Bull's decision to
place him on the Hard tyres for the final sprint to the flag and
contact with Charles Leclerc and Russell at Turn 1, it looked as if
Verstappen was complying with the instruction despite his protests
on Lap 64 at Turn 5. But it appeared he accelerated into Russell,
with Nico Rosberg even claiming the Red Bull driver should have
been disqualified. Verstappen was handed a 10-second time penalty
by the stewards for the incident, dropping him from fifth to 10th,
and he also picked up three more points on his super-licence,
bringing him to 11 for the 12-month period, with 12 triggering a
ban. His next set does not come off until the day after the
Austrian GP in June. Initially debriefing with media, Verstappen
was unapologetic, telling Russell that "next time, I'll bring
tissues" when asked if he was presenting a good example to young
racers. However, Verstappen has now taken to social media to
explain his actions, but did not issue a direct apology. Read the
full statement below. Max Verstappen statement in full "We had an
exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, till the safety car
came out. "Our tyre choice to the end and some moves after the
safety car restart fuelled my frustration, leading to a move that
was not right and shouldn't have happened. "I always give
everything out there for the team, and emotions can run high. You
win some together, you lose some together. See you in Montreal."
